Our Team
The Open College is an independent private college with many thousands of students providing over 90 QQI Levels 5 & 6 Award courses. Established in 2004 and QQI (formerly FETAC) Accredited in 2008.
The Open College has a proud record of innovation in education which has in just over few years become Ireland’s largest provider of QQI approved online distance learning courses and this recognition is based on the quality of our course materials, the professionalism of our tutors and the exceptional value for money we offer.
Our professionally qualified and industry experienced course tutors and writers are fully aware of learner needs and have designed and written courses that are flexible and up to date with current situations/legislation and learning styles as well as meeting the QQI requirements regarding course content/learning outcomes.
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Richard Whelan – President of The Open CollegeRichard Whelan FCA is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner in KPMG for 23 years, focusing primarily on audit and advisory work. An active member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, he is the author of a book on the ideology underlying Al Qaeda and has published numerous articles on international politics. He serves on the International Advisory Committee of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. He is a director or adviser to a number of companies, public and private, and was the independent Chairman of the Irish Course Providers Association.
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Siobhan Lynch – Healthcare TutorSiobhan is a Healthcare Trainer with over 12 years’ experience delivering the QQI Healthcare Award Modules at The Open College and in the north east through various learning formats, such as Distance, Blended Learning and Classroom Teaching. Siobhan is a Registered General Nurse, who has 17 years clinical experience. Siobhan’s nursing experiences spans across a number of specialties such as Operating Department Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, Medical, Surgical and Aged Care, caring for a diverse range of clients and age groups. Siobhan obtained her RGN nursing qualification with Craigavon Area Hospital, Armagh. She also has studied with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland where she obtained a Higher Diploma in Operating Nursing and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Practice Development. Siobhan is a committed tutor who strongly believes in the importance of guiding and supporting learners to achieve their educational and personal goals as they return to education.
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Henry Sheahan – Business TutorHenry has a wealth of adult learning tutoring experience in the areas of Business Management, Business Administration, Work Experience, Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace, Career Planning, Health & Safety, Purchasing & Procurement and Customer Service. Henry has been training in the above areas for the past twenty-one years and some of his most impressive qualifications include a Level 9 in Education & Training, a Certificate in Training and Development (Level 7), a Level 7 from NQAI in Health and Safety and a certificate in Personal Development and Leadership skills. Henry also holds a BBS in Procurement and Supply Chain and is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering. Henry is passionate about his subject matter and is dedicated to providing his students with as much help and guidance as possible and uses a wide range of training techniques to enhance the adult learning journey.
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Mary McGlynn – Student Mental Health CoordinatorMary has been with the Open College for over ten years now, having started out as a Careers & Development Manager and Tutor, Mary has extensive experience providing Careers Advice, Coaching, Guidance and Further Education Tutoring. Her previous experience includes working for Donegal ETB (Education and Training Board) and working for the government initiative ‘Momentum’ where she tutored and managed classes for the long-term unemployed returning to work. Mary has since developed her skills and qualifications to becoming a Psychotherapist where she lectures in mental health & wellbeing and provides private one to one sessions with students if needed. Her true passion, knowledge and purpose in the area of mental health and therapy is reflected back by the positive feedback from students and she has helped many overcome various issues and struggles in their college/personal lives. Mary also runs her own therapy business which further enriches her experience and knowledge for the college. Mary also helped launch the Open College Podcasts where she talks about various mental health and careers subjects and also developed the ‘Careers Hub’ the online Careers Advice section on the website. Mary’s qualifications include: Human Givens Psychotherapy Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and the Irish Language, Train the Trainer Cert, Mindfullness Programme and many CPD Mental Health and Wellbeing Certificates.
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Lorraine Walsh – Business & Management TutorLorraine is a Business Trainer who has been delivering training since 2011. She has delivered courses all over the country. As part of her range of courses, she delivers, Train the Trainer, Business Planning, Supervisory Management, Conflict Management, Project Management, Event Management and Managing People and Creating ICT Resources. Lorraine holds an Honours Bachelor degree in Business Studies, specialising in Human Resource Management, a Diploma in Accountancy and a Certificate in Business studies, a Honours Higher Diploma in Education. Lorraine teaches learners to develop a love for their subject matter. Constant good feedback on her delivery states she is a very approachable, helpful tutor who uses a wide variety of techniques to enhance learner interest and retention of knowledge.
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Gerry Clancy – Train the Trainer TutorGerry has over 25 years of experience, in a business background having worked in many sectors (IT, Finance, Training, Government and FMCG). Gerry has managed, developed and delivered Consultancy in many areas (Training, Business, Software Solutions and IT Hardware) and is very motivated and dependable, mature and business aware. His key strength is that he is people person which is the most important resource in the success of any training, team or project delivery, and together with his 25 years of Training and Project Management experience and these attributes have been the reasons for such a successful lecturing career to date. Training and Lecturing with: Specifically Gerry has been involved in Training Design and Delivery for New Approach Training, The Open College, Pulse College, Windmill Lane College, Griffith College, Ormond College, Imagination Gym, Big Wave Media and Castleknock Community College. Lecturing in:
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Neal Murphy BSc – Sports & Fitness TutorThe Open College Sports Courses Co – Ordinator and Tutor Neal Murphy qualified with a BSc in Sports Science from De Montfort University in England and has also achieved an MBS Masters Degree Qualification from Dublin City University. He has 20 years experience working in the Sports and Leisure Industry both in Ireland and the UK. Neal has also represented the Irish Squash team at World Championship level in Hong Kong and Pakistan. This combination of industry experience and International level sports performance gives Neal great insight into how our students should to be tutored. Neal has worked with The Open College developing new courses and maintaining our QQI standards in this area for the last few years. ‘The Open College strives to be the leading Online Sports Course provider by combining the highest quality course content with the most qualified Tutors. Our Sports tutors have achieved Masters Degree level and are working towards Doctorate Level qualifications. This level of tutor expertise is the highest in Ireland . Our tutors are very highly regarded in the Sports Industry having varied experience from coaching Inter County level GAA teams and working in high performance Sports units nationally.’ – Neal Murphy Sports Courses Co – Ordinator.
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Ciarán McCarthy – Law TutorCiarán is a practicing barrister who holds degrees from University College Cork and the Honorable Society of Kings Inns. In this capacity, Ciarán appears in courts and tribunals and has additionally lectured in a number of institutions and published academic papers on various legal issues, so he has lots of invaluable experience both in the field and in education. Ciaran is extremely passionate about his Law subjects and his key strength is his ability to provide quality feedback to our students while thoroughly reviewing their work. With his industry experience and belief in lifelong learning, Ciaran has some great insight on how students should be tutored to be as prepared as possible in the area of Law.
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Mairead McHale – Special Needs Education TutorMairéad McHale delivers the Special Needs Assisting (QQI level 5) module. As well as heading up her special education training company, Mairéad is a special education and social studies tutor with Kildare & Wicklow Education Training Board and an associate lecturer with The Department of Adult & Community Education at Maynooth University. With over 12 years of special education experience working with children on the autism spectrum and with other conditions, Mairéad brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the courses she teaches. Qualifications Include:
Along with the above formal qualifications, Mairéad holds many certificates and CPD qualifications in the area of special education. She is also a registered teacher with The Teaching Council (Registration # 188459).
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Siobhan Mannion – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorSiobhan has been involved in the Early years Education sector for over 15 years. She has worked in various Early years education settings, including primary schools, pre-schools and Montessori schools. She has been involved in the management of Early years settings and began working in the Adult Education sector over 7 years ago. Siobhan has a passion for Education and for quality Early Years education and therefore has high expectations for her learners. She has vast experience delivering Early Years modules both classroom and online and loves being a tutor. Qualifications Include:
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Dr. Des Earls BSc, MSc, DEd – Nutrition & Sports Nutrition TutorDes received his BSc. in Sport Science and Health from Dublin City University. He subsequently went on to complete a MSc. in Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary’s University College, London and completed a doctorate in Higher and Adult Education through Maynooth University in 2023. Des has been working in the Sports and Fitness Industry since 2009 and has worked with athletes competing at national and international level, including 2012 Olympians, as well as various inter-county GAA teams. Des is currently a Lecturer in a Technology University where he lectures on Strength and Conditioning, Sport Science and Athletic Therapy programmes. He has also worked in some of Ireland’s top fitness facilities as well as previously working in one of Melbourne’s top gyms, 5th Element Wellness. Since 2012, Des has been an integral part of the Nutrition and Sports & Fitness tutoring team at The Open College. He has completed additional training in Blended Learning technologies and Research Supervision. Des is currently a Level 1 accredited anthropometrist with ISAK. ‘Having completed my own MSc. programme though online learning I can see the value learners get from The Open College’s Online Sports Courses. The ability to study and complete a course in your own time whilst also working allows learners to apply new knowledge on a daily basis.’ Dr Des Earls – Sports Nutrition Tutor.
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Joe McDonald – Health & Social Care Lecturer | Business & Management TutorJoe is a more recent but impactful addition to The Open College’s esteemed team of academics. With over three decades of experience, Joe has navigated through various sectors and industries, holding senior management and Director positions. His professional journey is further enriched by his status as a qualified professional coach, assisting individuals in both business and sport to achieve their goals. For more than a decade, Joe has impressively served as a module author and dedicated lecturer. His commitment to lifelong learning resonates deeply, as he strives to cultivate a dynamic learning atmosphere that empowers students to develop and grow. Training & Qualifications:
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Myriam O’Farrell – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorMyriam is the Programme Lead for our Early Learning & Care courses and is an experienced educator with over 13 years of tenure across early childhood, further, and higher education. She has held roles in teaching, programme design, and coordination, bringing a strong commitment to high-quality, learner-centred practice. Her background in Early Childhood Care and Education, particularly in music, play, and process art, has shaped her belief in the power of creativity and connection in learning. Passionate about slow relational pedagogy, Myriam values the importance of connection, listening, and trust building as foundations for meaningful learning. She brings this relationship centred approach to adult education, aiming to create relaxed, engaging learning environments where students feel supported and confident in developing practical skills for their work with young children. Myriam’s qualifications include:
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Dr. Patricia Doyle – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerDr. Doyle is a Lecturer in our Health and Social Care Degree programme. A sociologist, she has extensive teaching and research experience. Dr Doyle is currently employed as a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University and guest lecturer in Trinity College Dublin. Over the course of her 20-year career, she has demonstrated a keen interest in health and social care issues having designed and delivered the Human Development module in Dublin City University for a period of 5 years. She has also designed and facilitated numerous sociological based courses across universities. A former chairperson of Recovery Academy of Ireland, her research interests include Addiction Recovery and Dual Diagnosis (mental health) and much of her community work is conducted in addiction rehabilitation services as well as in programmes designed to reduce recidivism rates of adult male/female offenders. Coming from a mature student background herself, she has an avid interest in meeting the educational needs of students in general and of mature/second chance students in particular.
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Laura Behan – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerLaura is our Programme Lead for the Health and Social Care Degree, responsible for designing and overseeing engaging, practice-based modules that embed quality, safety, and ethical standards. She holds a BA in Social Care, an MA in Learning and Teaching with a specialisation in adult and workforce education, and a Postgraduate Qualification in Quality and Safety in Social Care, alongside a range of CPD courses that strengthen her experience in professional practice. Her teaching approach blends academic rigor with compassion, encouraging students to develop reflective practice, critical thinking, and professional identity. Laura is particularly committed to embedding safeguarding, ethical decision making, and person-centred care into the curriculum, ensuring graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of contemporary health and social care.
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Mary Rose Walker – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerMary Rose has extensive experience in social work and adult education. She currently lectures on the BA (Hons) in Health & Social Care degree programme at The Open College. She has previously taught at other colleges mainly TU Dublin and SETU Carlow. Mary Rose holds an MLitt in Applied Social Studies from NUI Maynooth, a Higher Diploma in Social Studies from UCC, and a BSocSc from UCD. She also brings over 30 years of professional practice as a social worker in the housing sector, working on issues such as domestic violence, disability, and social inclusion. Her research interests include housing policy, coercive control, social justice and the experiences of Travellers and other minority groups. She has also published work on suicide within the Irish Traveller community. Mary Rose is committed to supporting learners to achieve their educational and personal goals as they return to education.
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Celina Kinsella – Practice Placement CoordinatorCelina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our students having worked within the social care sector since 2007, mainly within the areas of adult Intellectual disabilities, Supporting Children and Families within the Irish foster care system and Adult Mental Health. Within the last 7 years Celina has been involved in service management including internal auditing and practice placement supervision of students throughout this time. Recently Celina has been a placement educator representative on a CORU panel for another University who have successfully gained CORU accreditation for their third level social care courses and also sat on expert panels for universities approval of new third level courses within the sector. Celina’s Qualifications include:
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Paddy McBrearty – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerPaddy McBrearty is a registered Mental Health Nurse. He is an experienced nursing and healthcare educator with over a decade of teaching expertise. His philosophy is that education should be enjoyable, engaging, and focused on development and growth—eliminating “death by PowerPoint.” His clinical background spans forensic psychiatry, addiction services, acute inpatient mental illness, dementia care, and intellectual disability services. Paddy is passionate about supporting students to succeed in their chosen fields and takes pride in being approachable, encouraging, and committed to helping lifelong learners reach their full potential. Paddy’s Qualifications Include:
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Sarah Michelle-Kilduff – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerSarah is a Healthcare lecturer with The Open College with over 13 years of critical care nursing and prehospital healthcare experience. She also works as the Senior Operational Director for a travel assistance company managing worldwide medical and security repatriations and emergency evacuations services. Sarah is a Critical Care Emergency Nurse with vast management experience who brings a wealth of knowledge to healthcare lecturing and is passionate about being involved in healthcare education. Her qualifications span across the Healthcare Education, Emergency Nursing and Management platforms and include MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert, H BSc, EMT-P, Dip.
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Dr. Michael Brennan – Healthcare TutorDr. Michael Brennan, PhD, MA, M Ed, RPN, RNT, H Dip in Addiction Studies, Dip Social Studies has worked in healthcare since 1992 having registered as a mental health nurse with NMBI, he started in a healthcare educational role in 2003 on achieving a Master of Science in Education. He completed a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2012, from Trinity College Dublin. In Michael’s career to date, he has published and presented at several conferences both nationally and internationally. He was Programme Coordinator for a Masters/Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia & Mental Health, in Trinity College since in 2003. Since 2017, Michael has worked as a tutor on various courses at different levels of education. This role involves coordination, teaching, assessment, supporting learners, both academically and pastorally, administration, evaluation, and ongoing programme development. Michael’s philosophy on education is that it must have real meaning for students. He believes that learning should be about personal development and growth and not just about the acquisition of knowledge. Through his teaching, he facilitates students to develop the skills, and the confidence to use their learning to impact their practice. This type of learning is a skill for life and not just for the purpose of gaining a qualification to practice.
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Joe Plowman – Psychology TutorFor nearly 20 years, Joseph has experience studying, working, and researching in both psychology and hypnotherapy. In psychology and healthcare, he has been involved in helping to run and deliver anxiety and depression psycho-education workshops in the UK, with patients referred by GPs, and has also helped to run and deliver life coaching workshops as part of a health psychology initiative in Bristol. In Ireland, Joe has lectured in Human Growth and Development and has lectured and authored other nationally validated psychology courses, including psychology, applied psychology, and child psychology. He has also taught psychology and psycho-education classes at Secondary School level to transition year students. These classes (from 2008) were among the first in Ireland to involve lessons in happiness and sought to enhance student well-being. They were based on Rational Emotive Education, a CBT-based resilience program. He has also worked briefly in early intervention (using applied behaviour analysis) with autistic children. He is a Founding Member of the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology in the UK and a member of the European Network for Positive Psychology. Presently, Joseph’s interests continue to involve education and well-being, as well as applied psychology, coaching, and cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy. Qualifications include:
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Marie Harmon – Communications & Customer Service TutorMarie is a fully qualified further education tutor and secondary school teacher in Business, Economics and Accounting. As an experienced customer service assessor for a variety of further education companies in Ireland and a knowledgeable Market Researcher in both the public and private sector, Marie is very knowledgeable in her field of Business and Customer Service. Marie holds a Bachelor of Business (honours) Degree in Business Management and a Master of Business Degree from the Institute of Technology, Tralee. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management from Dublin City University. Marie is passionate about seeing her students progress and do well in their chosen subject. She considers herself to be approachable and eager to help and support lifelong learners to reach their full potential.
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Siobhán Browne – Early Learning & Care TutorSiobhán has over 13 years experience in the Early Years sector with a decade at management level. She currently manages a full day care facility in the South East and is passionate about educating the youngest members of society. Siobhán has experience with lecturing and module development at degree level on Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes. She currently tutors several QQI modules with The Open College, including Child Development, Early Childhood Curriculum, Work Experience modules and several Montessori based modules. She is an advocate for the sector and has high expectations for Early Years Educators. Siobhan’s Qualifications include:
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Damien Kelly – Business TutorDamien has worked with The Open College for over 4 years where he provides student support in addition to lecturing activities across a number of the Business programmes, namely E-Business, Marketing Practice, Digital Marketing and Personal and Professional Development. Damien is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Chartered Tax Consultant (CTA) currently working in the Utilities industry in a Senior Leadership role. Damien ranked first place in Ireland in the final examinations of the Chartered Taxation exams. Damien qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Consultant in 2007 when working in Practice with Ernst & Young, where he gained a considerable experience in all areas of Business. Also, for the past 15 years, Damien has been lecturing for a number of Institutions and Colleges throughout the country in the areas of Financial Management, Accountancy, Business Management, Customer Services, Personal Effectiveness, Risk, Marketing and Taxation. Damien has been widely recognised as a knowledgeable, interactive and interesting lecturer.
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Tara Fitzgibbon – Exercise & Fitness TutorSince obtaining a BSc in Sports Science & Health in 2020 Tara has been working as a personal trainer and sports programme officer with the Irish Wheelchair Association. Tara has worked with women and men’s teams in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie and wheelchair basketball. In her role with Irish Wheelchair Association, Tara also trains children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities and has a great interest in promoting inclusion and adapted exercise.
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Kelley Anne Faye – Sports Psychology TutorKelley is an applied performance psychologist with 10+ years experience of working in high performance sport. She has attended many competitions and training camps with athletes and teams helping them prepare for competitive performance including the Winter Paralympics in South Korea with team GB and numerous World & European Championships (with GB & Irish athletes). It is this practical experience in high level sport which enables Kelley to demonstrate to students how sport psychology theory applies in everyday settings to improve performance. Kelley studied Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire where she gained both her BSc & MSc. Following completion of her Masters she took up an associate lecturer post at UCLAN before returning home to Ireland to work for the Sports Institute Northern Ireland. Kelley now runs her own company KF Performance and supports many GB & Irish athletes in their quest to succeed. Kelley also delivers workshops in Mental Health, Resilience and Leadership as well as many other topics in both the Education & Corporate sectors. She is currently lead Performance psychologist for a number of international & professional sports.
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Marianne Byrne – Human Resources TutorMarianne is a Human Resources & Training Consultant. She has been working with The Open College since 2013, mainly as a Tutor in Human Resources (QQI level 6). She also delivers ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse and Aggressive Behaviour Management’ training to our internal and external Healthcare students. Prior to this Marianne has a wealth of health service experience with over 30 years before taking early retirement. A highly competent professional with a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree and a member of Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (MCIPD). She studied in TU4Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Her other specialities are in operating an Employment Law Advisory Service and she participates in panel interviews, Career planning, Enneagram training, Induction, Grievance & Disciplinary, Dignity at Work and Stress management, are amongst her other training programmes. Whilst working for the health services she developed a passion for delivering training and now delivers programmes that are easy to understand with lots of variety and at a pace that takes everyone’s learning style into consideration.
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Louise Mooney – Special Education TutorLouise is an adult educator in the further education sector for many years. With extensive experience of facilitating both QQI Level 5 and 6 Special Needs Assisting courses she brings a wealth of both professional and personal knowledge of special educational needs to her course delivery. Louise has a specific interest in Autism Spectrum Condition, inclusion and positive behaviour support, Louise has attended many workshops that focus on managing anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Louise’s qualifications include:
Louise is a registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
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Dr. Wendy Oke – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorDr. Wendy Oke is an experienced lecturer and researcher with a BA (Hons) and a PhD in Early Childhood Education and Care from Munster Technological University, as well as an MBA from Boston University. Wendy has lectured extensively across QQI Levels 5–8, specialising in curriculum, child development, numeracy, literacy, quality practice and digital learning in early years education. Wendy has supervised undergraduate dissertations and published peer-reviewed articles on professional identity, communication and quality improvement in the early childhood sector. She has also contributed to sector development through consultancy work and programme reviews. Wendy’s teaching philosophy focuses on reflective practice and supporting adult learners to confidently connect theory with professional early years practice.
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Aisling Mortell-Beglan – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorAisling is an experienced early years professional who tutors the Professional Practice Placement module with The Open College. She brings a strong academic foundation and extensive hands-on experience to her role, supporting learners as they develop key skills and gain confidence in their practical early-years environments. Aisling’s Qualifications include:
Professional Background: Aisling has worked across a range of educational and training settings, including roles as a preschool teacher, creche manager, Special Needs Assistant (SNA), and Training Coordinator within the adult-learning sector, in both private and community settings. This varied experience allows her to bring real-world insight to her tutoring, particularly in areas of professional practice and learner support.
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Loyola Meireles – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorLoyola is an experienced Further Education tutor with a strong commitment to supporting adult learners in achieving their personal, educational, and career goals. Loyola has delivered QQI level 5 and 6 Early Learning and Care modules online since 2021. Loyola holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching in Further Education and a BA in Early Childhood Education and Care. In 2024, Loyola completed the Universal Design for Teaching and Learning (UDL) badge, further strengthening her commitment to inclusive, flexible, and learner-centred practice. Loyola understands the unique challenges many adult learners face—such as balancing study with work, family, and other commitments—and strives to make the online learning environment engaging, and enjoyable. Along with the above formal qualifications, Loyola holds many certificates in the area of special education needs and has over ten years of experience working with young children with additional needs.
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Mariann Bartok-Arvai – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorMariann Bartok-Arvai is an organised and dedicated Further Education professional with strong experience in placement coordination, adult teaching, and learner support. She has worked across a range of educational settings, including The Open College, the National College of Ireland, and LOETB, where she has supported learners through high-quality teaching, placement supervision, and accurate record management. With a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and a Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching in Further Education, Mariann brings deep knowledge of QQI and QA requirements, strong administrative expertise, and a learner-centred approach to her work. Known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills, she is committed to supporting students, colleagues, and partner organisations through clear guidance, collaboration, and reliability.
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Laura Walshe – Child Psychology TutorLaura Walshe, a Guidance Counsellor, is currently working in Higher Education, offering career advice and guidance to undergraduate and master level students. A key aspect of her role involves delivering career development workshops and employer engagement events. Laura has strong industry connections within the Early Childhood Education and Care and Psychology sectors. Laura currently has her own private career guidance practice, where she offers guidance and support to leaving certificate students, adult learners and career transitioners. Laura’s uses a strength-based approach in both her guidance and teaching, empowering students to learn and to achieve. Prior to moving into the guidance counselling field, Laura worked as a front line practitioner for 15+ years across various different services within social care. Previous roles include residential childcare, addiction services, disability services, social housing and aftercare services. Academic Qualifications include a BA in Psychology and Sociology, a HDip in Social Care, MSc in Guidance Counselling and currently enrolled on the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education with Warwick University. Laura is passionate about supporting learners to achieve and to progress to a level which is appropriate to their individual needs and interests.
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Lisa Ryan – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorLisa has worked as an Early Year’s Montessori preschool manager for 10 years. Lisa holds an Honours Degree in Early Years Education & Care Studies from WIT, a Degree in Montessori Education from St. Nicholas Montessori College of Ireland and, the LINC special purpose Level 6 course to become an Inclusion Co-Ordinator. Lisa also holds a level 6 in Training and Delivery along with various other certificates and is registered as a further education tutor with the Teaching Council of Ireland (reg. number 185516). Lisa has been a tutor of further education for 3 years including Special Needs Assisting modules along with Level 2 modules in the Adult Learning Scheme both in classroom and online. Lisa is passionate about delivering a high-quality standard of Education and Care in the Early Years with a specific interest in the Montessori Method of Education. Lisa endeavours to pass on her years of practical experience as a Manager and Early Years Educator to her students through her various modules with The Open College.
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Noel Brosnan – Training & Development TutorNoel has a strong reputation for facilitating practical and relevant training programmes which result in significant behavioural change, growth and development for managers / leaders, employees, teams and organisations. He is proud of his interactive facilitation style, which helps maximise learning, skill development and behavioural change. Noel is always conscious of creating a safe learning environment for learners, built on trust and openness. His intention is to keep theory and practice simple and build awareness and learning one-step at a time. Noel’s coaching and training methodologies are based on ‘brain friendly’ theories, which incorporate some of the latest developments in neuroscience and positive psychology. Noel has delivered the QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer since 2008 and the QQI Special Purpose Award in Training and Development since 2012. Noel has also designed and delivered training programmes in the health, pharmaceutical, financial and education sectors on leadership, change management, delegation, team development, communication, performance reviews, conflict resolution, employee induction and engagement, well being and resilience. He is privileged to have served a wide variety of organisations and companies including: The Department of Education and Skills, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Hibernia College, The Open College, GE Healthcare, Glanbia, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Poppulo, Crest Solutions and Stryker. Noel’s Qualifications include:
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Timea Zolei – Early Learning & Care Tutor and Placement CoordinatorTimea is an experienced Early Childhood Education and Care tutor with several years of teaching, programme coordination and placement supervision across further and higher education. She teaches on QQI Level 5 and 6 programmes, as well as on the BA Early Childhood Education and Care programme, where she also supports and supervises students during their placement. Timea is passionate about helping learners build confidence, develop strong professional skills, and excel in both academic work and practice-based learning. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching for Further Education, and a Master’s degree in Educational Practice. Timea has taught and designed modules across a range of ECEC programmes and brings a strong understanding of curriculum, assessment and professional practice. Her teaching approach centres on creating a supportive, inclusive learning environment where students can connect theory with real-world experience. Timea also has extensive industry experience in preschool, Montessori and early years settings, as well as in programme leadership and quality assurance roles. She draws on this practical background to help learners understand professional expectations, regulatory requirements and the realities of working in the early years sector. She is committed to guiding and encouraging students throughout their learning journey and is dedicated to helping them achieve their academic and career goals.
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Lillian Doyle – Social Studies TutorLillian has been working for the Open College since 2013 delivering our Social Studies courses. She also teaches for Dublin College of Further Education on their Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care Level 6 programmes and various other QQI Level 5/6 awards including the Special Needs Assisting. Lillian is also an External Authenticator for QQI. Qualifications Include:
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Mary Moylan – Healthcare TutorMary Moylan is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 30 years of service within the health sector. A qualified Registered Nurse, she has built her career around supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and has extensive clinical experience across residential, community, and specialist care settings. Mary has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist within the community, supported adults with complex health needs, and held management roles where she led multidisciplinary teams in delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred care. Her specialist expertise includes working with older adults, particularly older adults with intellectual disabilities, where she has championed best practice and evidence-based approaches. With more than a decade of experience as an educator in nursing and healthcare, Mary is committed to developing competent, confident learners who can progress to advanced study and practice. She places strong emphasis on professional standards, critical thinking, and high-quality care delivery, and is dedicated to preparing students to excel in their future roles within the healthcare sector.
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Elaine Clyne – Healthcare TutorElaine is a dedicated and experienced Healthcare educator with over 17 years of experience in teaching Healthcare Support, Pre-Nursing, and Supervisory Management in healthcare settings. She holds a qualification as a General Nurse from Galway and possess comprehensive understandings of healthcare education frameworks. As an external authenticator, she evaluates and provides quality assurance for the work of other tutors, ensuring high standards in education. Her empathetic approach to teaching fosters a supportive learning environment, making complex assessments more accessible for all students.
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Gavin Ryan – Writing & Journalism TutorGavin is a media professional and educator with experience as a screenwriter, magazine editor, festival director, screenwriting agent, lecturer and script consultant. He has worked with a wide variety of media and film industry professionals both in Ireland and abroad. Gavin enjoys helping learners find their voice as writers and journalists. Qualifications include: BA, MA, Pg Dip (Innovation)
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Elena Pandelska – Head of OperationsElena joined The Open College team back in 2013 and has since been an integral part of the college’s operations. Starting as an Assignments and Results Coordinator, Elena moved on to the Certification Department making sure it reached its highest standards. Due to her dedication and drive, Elena has successfully moved on to her current role as Operations Manager for the College. Elena has also contributed to the development of quality assurance, policies and procedures for the college and continues to maintain these to ensure a high standard is always maintained. Elena is an enthusiastic supporter of online education and will soon be receiving a Professional Diploma in Management and Leadership from the UCD Professional Academy.
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Adrian Reen – Head of Education TechnologyWith five years’ experience working in the education sector, a master’s in education and a BSc. In Media Technology, Adrian joined the team in 2018 as our Education Technologist. Adrian’s role involves the support and development of pedagogical progammes including video content and interactive courses and manages the production of learning content projects from start to finish. With excellent analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, as well as a range of technological proficiencies, Adrian is very interested in how technology can enhance the adult learner and has the ability to identify and develop expertise in content and uses various tools to develop resources which meet the diverse needs of our students using pedagogic principles. Adrian has proven to be a valuable addition to the team due to his hard work and dedication to his role and actively keeps up to date with developments in educational technologies. Adrian’s Qualifications include:
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Eoghan Fitzmaurice – Results CoordinatorEoghan has worked in the Customer Service sector for over 12 years and uses this knowledge to deliver a first-rate student experience for the Open College. He also holds a QQI Major Award in Office Administration and Accounting so is therefore well versed to office work and its environment. Eoghan specialises in delivering online support to learners in a professional and organised manner. Eoghan has picked up some excellent communication and interpersonal skills throughout his career in the customer service industry, particularly in the adult learning field. This has enabled him to help hundreds of our learners along the way to achieving their various qualifications. Many of our students speak very highly of Eoghan and their comments always include his supportive and helpful approach to their queries. Eoghan strives to help students in any way he can to achieve their educational goals and will continue to do so for years to come.
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Sophie Kennedy – Assistant Operations ExecutiveSophie joined the team in 2014 and has been a valuable asset to the college ever since. During this time, she has worked in many different roles starting off as an Admissions & Results Coordinator, and then progressing to Certification Manager and Exam Coordinator. Her current role involves the roll out of support tools for our students such as Moodle, Turnitin and Microsoft teams. Sophie has the ability to handle large amounts of work with excellent attention to detail while also supporting the office team ensuring the smooth running of day to day activities. Sophie has a particular interest in the lifelong learner and helping them succeed towards a better future which is evident in the way she communicates and assists our learners with any queries or concerns they may have. She also takes great pride in providing an excellent and proficient service to the adult learner in any way she can. Sophie’s Qualifications include:
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Programme Development & Validations OfficerLouise’s journey with The Open College is quite special as she has a unique connection with our institution. She is a proud alumna of a few of our QQI accredited courses and most recently a graduate of our Honours BA in Health & Social Care. Louise brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from various different industries is well versed in The Open College community. Being a lifelong learner, Louis’s academic achievements don’t end here, currently she is working towards a Level 8 Certificate in Leadership Skills and Change Management. Louise embodies the same commitment we have as an organisation to continuous education and her passion for learning is contagious. In her role as Programme Development & Validations Officer, Louise is set to contribute her unique blend of academic excellence, professional experience and commitment to lifelong learning.
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Brenda Maguire – Certification ManagerBrenda started working with the college in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength during her time here. Coming from a background in Customer Service, Human Resources and Team Management, she has worked and progressed to many different roles within our team including, Customer Service, Exam Coordinator, Results Coordinator and much more. Through completing a Diploma in Counselling, Brenda has learned some excellent communication and interpersonal skills and takes the time to really listen and empathise with our students. Her ability to be patient and understanding enables her to deal with any issues professionally and competently and she takes great pride in ensuring every student receives the best learning experience possible through her excellent ability to communicate in a supportive manner. Brenda’s passion for the Further Education and Training sector is evident in her excellent work ethic and works hard to maintain this high standard in every aspect of her job. Qualifications & Training include:
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Anne Sandford – Customer Relations ExecutiveWith over 20 years of expertise in customer service, Anne has joined the team in 2021 and has been an integral part of the college operations since then. Her passion for education and continued professional development is a driving force in the delivery of extensive student support, providing guidance and encouragement to students embarking on their courses and supporting them to achieve their academic goals. With her outgoing, conscientious, and supportive attitude, she ensures to pay attention to detail and streamline day-to-day operations as efficiently as possible. Her drive and ambition to deliver customer support meeting high standards in every facet of quality and professionalism makes her a significant part of our ongoing success. Anne’s Qualifications include:
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Laura Brennan – Student Services CoordinatorLaura holds a distinguished academic background, having graduated with a 1st Class Honours in her BSc in Social Sciences degree with a dual major in Sociology and Information and Communication studies from University College Dublin in May 2023. Notably, her commitment to academic excellence was acknowledged in her first year she was awarded an academic scholarship for achieving the highest GPA score in Stage 1 of my programme in 2020. Throughout her Degree, she engaged with a diverse range of topics that have equipped her with a strong foundation in both sociological perspectives and digital communication strategies. Professional Experiences: During a recent internship Purple House Cancer Support in Bray provided Laura with invaluable practical experience where she developed a comprehensive skill set in customer relations through interactions within the voluntary sector. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Laura has cultivated a deep passion for Irish dancing, dedicating over 16 years to competitive training. This commitment resulted in consistent top ten placements at local, regional, and world competitions, reflecting her dedication and determination to acheieve while showcasing her pursuit of excellence beyond the academic realm.
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Fathima Sana Shireen Najeeb – Educational Psychologist for HET, FET & Lifelong LearnersFathima Sana is our Educational Psychologist overseeing a crucial role in helping learners reach their full potential by providing expert psychological assessments, guidance and support. The position plays an integral role in the development of educational policy and strategies to improve academic performance standards. In addition to her expertise in other areas she is a trained and qualified Psychologist with a knack for creating immersive, enriching and supportive learning experiences for team members and students alike. Fathima also conducts one-to-one and group sessions to help learners achieve optimum mental health, manage psychological and emotional struggles enhancing academic and personal development. Qualifications & Training include:
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Afonso Wintacem Silva – Business Development ExecutiveAfonso is the Business Development Executive at The Open College, bringing a strong people-focused background and a disciplined, results-driven approach to his role. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management and has extensive experience from his career in the Portuguese Air Force, where he served for over seven years as an OF-1 Lieutenant. During his military service, Afonso was involved in multiple international and operational deployments and completed specialist training, including the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) course in 2020. He was also a member of a Search and Rescue team, where the primary mission was life-saving operations in high-pressure environments. These experiences developed his leadership skills, resilience, and ability to perform effectively in complex and demanding situations. In 2025, Afonso transitioned into a commercial career, joining The Open College with a clear ambition to support business growth, strengthen partnerships, and help elevate the organisation’s brand within the further education and training sector. His strong interpersonal skills and strategic mindset underpin his approach to business development. Outside of work, Afonso has competed in judo for many years, reflecting his commitment to discipline, focus, and continuous self-improvement. He is a multilingual professional, fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French, enabling him to engage confidently with a diverse range of learners and stakeholders.
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Jessie O’Gorman – Student Services CoordinatorJessie joined The Open College in May 2025 as a part-time Student Advisor. She is currently studying Biopharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Galway, where she is pursuing her passion for science and research. In her role at The Open College, Jessie supports learners throughout their educational journey, providing guidance and assistance to help them achieve their goals. Her background as a student gives her a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges learners face, allowing her to connect with them in a supportive and approachable way. Jessie is dedicated to helping students succeed while continuing her own academic journey in the field of biopharmaceutical science.
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Ken Clancy – Systems Upgrade Project ManagerWith 25 years’ experience working in the customer service and sales industry and a BSc in Soft Systems Development, Ken joined the team in 2018 as our Systems Upgrade Project Manager. Ken began his new role reviewing and upgrading some of the colleges internal software systems through the creation of a purpose-built Student Relations Management System which will replace older student management systems with a user-friendly integration of all current systems and analytical reporting. Ken has worked in team-based environments all his career and enjoys working closely with staff to present new ideas for system improvements. Ken joined The Open College with a zest for hard work and goal achievement and is proving to be a valuable asset to the team. Qualifications & Training include:
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